tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15439083844570674042024-02-22T05:37:55.513-06:00The NonsensationalistCook Once, Eat Twice...and other tips for simplifying, streamlining, and surviving the weeknight.Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-48399296513463227812012-01-27T14:54:00.001-06:002012-01-27T14:54:31.761-06:00thanks, msn, for shooting it to us straight<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I call bull...oney.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://money.msn.com/family-money/is-eating-out-cheaper-than-cooking-fiscaltimes.aspx">http://money.msn.com/family-money/is-eating-out-cheaper-than-cooking-fiscaltimes.aspx</a><br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-82007396449012402912012-01-14T21:00:00.000-06:002012-01-27T14:52:43.074-06:00sugar and spice and everything nice...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...well, sugar is just <em>where it's at</em>. And that's how we celebrated Lila's birthday. With lots and lots and LOTS of sugar. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had her party at </span><a href="http://www.drjazzwebstergroves.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, a mom-and-pop vintage ice-cream shop. For her party we went with a "sweets" theme, complete with candy, cupcakes, ice cream, and of course, our sweet little two year old! </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was also a party to celebrate my neice Emma's birthday. She is one <em>trés chic</em> chick, and it was a lot of fun for the girls to celebrate together.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lila pranced around the party, surrounded by cousins, friends and presents, chewing on her giant candy necklace the entire time. I think it's safe to say she had a blast!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, can't believe my girl is already two years old. Which basically makes me want to suck my thumb, wet my pants, and cry. But she is as bright and capable and wonderous as they come. She speaks in sentences, loves to chase her big brother, and will look at a pink sunset and exclaim, "My favorite!"</span><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I look at her and think the same. Happy 2nd Birthday Lila!</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav_kTQSiT6K2oRV6OLRYqkK5Q-YQFN2VNX2R-hhPcDazHu5DpgORERYxxo8MmAlTk9_-xP9ZW2erEZCB-J_yxCb8Ir0sJ1fnszcP5ZAMYrZjhIjGH4NBTYEMdkhnLPM76NoFNaZ8EnV48/s1600/DSC05109+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav_kTQSiT6K2oRV6OLRYqkK5Q-YQFN2VNX2R-hhPcDazHu5DpgORERYxxo8MmAlTk9_-xP9ZW2erEZCB-J_yxCb8Ir0sJ1fnszcP5ZAMYrZjhIjGH4NBTYEMdkhnLPM76NoFNaZ8EnV48/s320/DSC05109+B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-82612397643541261712012-01-01T00:02:00.003-06:002012-01-01T01:00:37.445-06:00well helloooooo january<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy New Year, y'all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or not quite: it's 11:42pm on the eve of 2012. I'm eating obscene amounts of pub cheese, drinking pinot grigio, and watching Austin City Limits. Hecks yes, that's how I ring in the new year. I wish I was cooler, but alas I am not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you may have noticed, it has been awhile since I've kept up on this old beast. Just call it the worst case of burn-out since, say, my entire high school career. <strike>When I smoked weed and proudly maintained a C average. Holler.</strike></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2011 has really been a year of recognizing priorities, looking to the future, and realizing the importance of keeping a positive attitude. It's been a challenge and is obviously still a work in progress, but I've realized that despite my dream of being a stay-at-home-mother, I am blessed in many ways for having the job that I have. I work for a great company with hilarious and kind people. My kids have clean socks and underwear and get their hair cut on time. We take vacations on an annual basis (if not more often), and our health is good. Our cars are paid off, we're making our house the best it can be, we love each other, and our children are beautiful and wonderful. Asking for more would just be greedy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrvuMx4_ABPjJgy3hZOOvcQwlMV6XRzv4twm3qhE0VgNuIA-7n0gca9mKwjrRtQNza0dn31GKpP5EHDikHOlvgu-_b0imEhVl2Bh5DlcXb0N0sPY_RUlAWUfRx7Pgrdr2vecDnR1X7zgL/s1600/IMG_0318%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrvuMx4_ABPjJgy3hZOOvcQwlMV6XRzv4twm3qhE0VgNuIA-7n0gca9mKwjrRtQNza0dn31GKpP5EHDikHOlvgu-_b0imEhVl2Bh5DlcXb0N0sPY_RUlAWUfRx7Pgrdr2vecDnR1X7zgL/s320/IMG_0318%255B1%255D" width="320" /></span></a></div>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-37345352325293383512011-11-16T20:06:00.001-06:002011-12-31T23:41:14.236-06:00it's better to burn out than to fade away (name that quote)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've got burn-out. Like nobody's business.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since the race (like 3 weeks ago!) I've been dragging, dragging, draaaagging. We took a week "off" after the race and ignored house projects, exercising, and any other unnecessary activities, and it's been super difficult getting up and going again. I feel like I'm doing the bare minimum and sometimes not even that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So even though I pressed on in my race training and hit my PR, I feel like I'm barely keeping pace with everything else. I haven't put on my running shoes in weeks and I find myself having a date with the couch every night. I also started a new position at work and now as trainee I am uber-conscious of the fact that I'm a sloooow little newbie. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The holidays are quickly approaching with Lila's birthday just a few weeks after. My God, why didn't I plan her birthday in August like I did in good ol' 2010? Simpler times, y'all.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4NImQuNbFOM4NYweDMLmaZT3aG1oNTHq6DVlNDIGsUWXjOKu-wX4Db3L3W-fHxYmynVE56BRzKaLr1uIS5ICvLbEi4MlaJfhkvPRPOXgcYO8ld8bSj7UcbBlgv6IDYrcPOeHfFZjLeGk/s1600/DSC08822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4NImQuNbFOM4NYweDMLmaZT3aG1oNTHq6DVlNDIGsUWXjOKu-wX4Db3L3W-fHxYmynVE56BRzKaLr1uIS5ICvLbEi4MlaJfhkvPRPOXgcYO8ld8bSj7UcbBlgv6IDYrcPOeHfFZjLeGk/s320/DSC08822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lessons learned I guess. Now excuse me while I polish off a bag of sweet potato chips. In my bed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm disgusting.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-9462464126294811392011-11-07T23:06:00.001-06:002011-11-10T20:47:26.902-06:00meal list thursday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been a good couple of weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We're back on track with the basement and holy cow, I'm pretty sure it's gonna get done before the end of the year. Keep your fingers crossed and pray to Jesus with me that it does! I'm super excited about the extra living space and I get all giddy thinking about how soonverysoon I'll get to reorganize the main level of our house and put everything back where it's <em>supposed</em> to go instead of tripping over Rubbermaid bins, random boxes, and misplaced toys.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And if I really let my mind go there I can daydream about all the ways I'd like to update and redecorate our house. You know, if I'd found a hidden bag of cash in the basement rafters. Or if Craig from Craigslist would just be a good friend and hook me up with awesome stuff in the Free section. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Tangent: have you ever READ the stuff in the Free section? It provides me with much entertainment. Like </span><a href="http://stlouis.craigslist.org/zip/2688394326.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> post, and </span><a href="http://stlouis.craigslist.org/zip/2688070986.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://stlouis.craigslist.org/zip/2662922482.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://stlouis.craigslist.org/zip/2665041169.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. These people/posts just make me laugh. God love 'em.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's also been a good couple of weeks because I have officially transitioned to a different role at work. I enjoyed my previous position as well, but I'm kinda pleased that I was chosen to do something different. So now I just have to remind myself not to screw up royally. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week's meal list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grilled Top Sirloin Steak and Mashed Sweet Potatoes</span><br />
<a href="http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/pretzel-crusted-chicken-breasts-with-cheddar-mustard-sauce/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Breasts With Cheddar Mustard Sauce</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and Steamed Broccoli (omg)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pan-Grilled Salmon, Oven Roasted Potatoes, and Parmesan Tomatoes</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recipes </span><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Remember: these recipes will make enough food for 2+ people for 2+ meals.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-10601990975586153892011-11-03T21:34:00.000-05:002011-11-06T21:35:39.861-06:00meal list thursday: lessons learned (and TGINovember)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been a nice, quiet week. We've had few commitments the last week or two which has given us a bit of time to chill out on the couch, enjoy a few Halloween festivities (and eat lots of halloween "nandy" as Lila calls it), and act like normal people NOT trying to race against the clock.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Next time? We'll not refinish a basement whilst mutually training for a half-marathon, training on alternating nights for 2+ months. So long, long runs. I miss my couch, I miss my kids, and I miss <strike>FB</strike> my husband. But he has a rock-solid hot bod now (and he's sporting a new tattoo) so I'll shut my trap. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And now that it's November, I have some Very Important Goals:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> 1) sign up for Pinterest. Invite me please.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> 2) online-Christmas-shop until my fingers bleed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> 3) help Eric finish the basement. Like for real finish this time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(which segues to...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Man, our basement is CRUSTY! Earlier today I was on all fours scrubbing the concrete floors and cursing the previous owners when I realized: <em>Uh-oh, we've owned this house for 7+ years so it's *kinda* our fault</em> <em>that it's still dirty. </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Next time? I'll not buy a 70+ year-old house. Nevermind that. It's clean now, or at least that's what I'll tell you. I have other things to tend to. Like this week's meal list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/braised-balsamic-chicken/detail.aspx">Braised Balsamic Chicken over Rice</a> with Steamed Broccoli</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slow-Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Garden Salad (waaay down the list)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-33076970635316228832011-11-01T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-01T21:45:07.520-05:00b(re)aking bread<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I have a mental list of cooking techniques I'd like to <strike>master</strike> attempt, and bread-baking is pretty much at the top of the list. I have no bread machine and I don't even know if I want one. (<em>Do</em> I want one?) I just want to learn how to make awesome bread! And then eat it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Coincidentally, I've been on the hunt for the perfect cooking class to attend so that I may use the Dierbergs giftcard my ridiculously pretty sister Becki gave me for Christmas a couple years ago. (Which she gave to me knowing I'd use it for a class and not for apples made of 14k gold.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I chose a bread-baking class and Becki also signed up. The assignment was to make a baguette of New York Rye and a loaf of Whole Grain Wheat. It was taught by this adorable old lady who shared many tips for successful bread-baking and earnestly expressed how bread-baking "is a wonderful, womanly art" and how "you should always make an extra loaf to share with a friend." How sweet is that?!? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At that point Becki (who shares <a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/2011/05/meal-list-thursday_13.html">my dream of being a SAHM</a> and <strike>eating bonbons all day</strike> raising our children) turned to me and whispered, "Don't you wish you could stay home all day and do wonderful womanly things like bake bread?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Yes, Becki. That WOULD be my very biggest dream come true." [<em>Actual, more colorful response omitted per <strike>the FCC's</strike> Eric's request</em>.]</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgLC1MoazbfqIEtd14VKYzEpwZ4sSP5ZdzvxHXL-ZnapSWJ5JkOfaA8KpgasBzCdMXeBcZqbSdZ8KllSAQNsMf4haJUcArOLu-2cU8ktAY5K4zjZEytzEg3w_-F3f7BDMhHoPrvnlcrc_/s1600/DSC08596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgLC1MoazbfqIEtd14VKYzEpwZ4sSP5ZdzvxHXL-ZnapSWJ5JkOfaA8KpgasBzCdMXeBcZqbSdZ8KllSAQNsMf4haJUcArOLu-2cU8ktAY5K4zjZEytzEg3w_-F3f7BDMhHoPrvnlcrc_/s320/DSC08596.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">i told you she was adorable.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nFBO_r6MsxCzgqZStO27PlF1tuL_DAV1M5KUJG7jMS88-QRUFBLRrNbcM9e_BjNGFZ4nkYnmPC3YWsC2fWVYd1eMqM_m7-bw-ZVW902kTnnNWikhp4pZIcISscao2HUKAIsJqdf60AV5/s1600/DSC08603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nFBO_r6MsxCzgqZStO27PlF1tuL_DAV1M5KUJG7jMS88-QRUFBLRrNbcM9e_BjNGFZ4nkYnmPC3YWsC2fWVYd1eMqM_m7-bw-ZVW902kTnnNWikhp4pZIcISscao2HUKAIsJqdf60AV5/s320/DSC08603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she was too.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTpYnWPTnrJtxiPIOEqkkeQWyPtGdn5q3tTY5wMuc_4XaWMnG16dGqG3VhLW60rm-1bhlCxrnANC8bkT_6uA3Cui-iXoNJztlZ1-t09X8OHdCZB41JPN_fzLfRj-iTpprSniafrSDmkYk/s1600/DSC08589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTpYnWPTnrJtxiPIOEqkkeQWyPtGdn5q3tTY5wMuc_4XaWMnG16dGqG3VhLW60rm-1bhlCxrnANC8bkT_6uA3Cui-iXoNJztlZ1-t09X8OHdCZB41JPN_fzLfRj-iTpprSniafrSDmkYk/s320/DSC08589.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">however, i look greasy and pasty. kind of like the dough.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUrYzn0KltHGowW5Ke4MzTUodORtXfCXDxY6UVZpF9K7Mmx_GY49dhuNZ-J38a_R6JaAOtxHx-lwlBloMo5lLCWVfs_7fx-jk1I0Wxtx8ScFrfwgmKs2tf7YtkcbJCFEmkJJOLuwYfndj/s1600/DSC08605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUrYzn0KltHGowW5Ke4MzTUodORtXfCXDxY6UVZpF9K7Mmx_GY49dhuNZ-J38a_R6JaAOtxHx-lwlBloMo5lLCWVfs_7fx-jk1I0Wxtx8ScFrfwgmKs2tf7YtkcbJCFEmkJJOLuwYfndj/s320/DSC08605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">exhibit 1: whole wheat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"eelicious!" as Finn would say.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmWC-BXZ9lrngu7D4UQohlsCdSd2GEQjouOH3ZuA4pTHAJpXBwsTX-1G292WZYxFO8KIF36yRTaETPW4aS_v7-JQTl4qrbq5_iV3b86-JgPQVKQ5_s25moM_rsOyQuOtKhMyNpl4LnfcT/s1600/DSC08606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmWC-BXZ9lrngu7D4UQohlsCdSd2GEQjouOH3ZuA4pTHAJpXBwsTX-1G292WZYxFO8KIF36yRTaETPW4aS_v7-JQTl4qrbq5_iV3b86-JgPQVKQ5_s25moM_rsOyQuOtKhMyNpl4LnfcT/s320/DSC08606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">exhibit 2: ny rye.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"get in my mouth." as I would say.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We walked out with paper bags containing our hot-from-the-oven loaves. And of course we filled a shopping basket with honey butter and apple butter to go with it. (I also found chocolate soy-nut butter for Finn. <em>Fancy, Dierbergs, fancy!</em>) The bread smelled incredible and tasted even better. And both loaves were gone in 3 days. EEE-licious!</span><br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-81140161329841672692011-10-27T20:58:00.000-05:002011-10-27T20:58:02.157-05:00meal list thursday: sit, sleep, eat.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't know if I'm in decompression-mode after the race and all of its ridonkulous training, burned-out from general busyness, or if I'm saving my energy for a half-marathon of eating Halloween candy. But I don't wanna do <em>nothin'</em>. I don't wanna write <em>nothin'</em>. I got <em>nothin'</em> to say.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But I still want to eat. That, friends, will never change. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here's this week's meal list: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sharp White Cheddar Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slow-Cooker Steak Soft Tacos and Broiled Parmesan Tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Crockpot Beef Stew</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>. (Beef Stew waaay at the bottom.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Remember: these recipes will make enough food for 2+ people for 2+ meals.)</span><br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-63592047287750143722011-10-24T17:46:00.001-05:002011-10-24T17:46:47.675-05:00finish line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpErWimAhrnxjxd6ZY8vnym8x6RSkl1tsb30kfEOJ0dQrqCx58p5rdR4iILQvsLNkFxJWfAxhvhtWlcs1IPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Rock&Roll race was so much fun! 20,000 runners, rock bands at every mile, high-school cheerleading squads pushing us on, and a route that took us through so many great city neighborhoods.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I did it! And I did it without dying, and more importantly, without stopping to walk. Or pooping my pants, which is more than I can say for one girl.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We finished in the time I was hoping for, down to the exact minute: 2:30. And now my knees hate me. But it's OK, I won't put them through this kind of torture again, at least until next year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As for Eric? He says this is his last race, but we all know that April Fool's Day is right around the corner.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis_V4Ii1hZqbVHQYwWXJeHpNzLgjOxcnJ2d8cApOKkWmkq69kg0bOU_CLohI4pO8d8r4A4Sy4cagabth1kbiuI9LLQFjo4udukfOvUeYSjJCwbRDROqu6LQh6Tei0ZI8MSB8NJOlQLjkf/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis_V4Ii1hZqbVHQYwWXJeHpNzLgjOxcnJ2d8cApOKkWmkq69kg0bOU_CLohI4pO8d8r4A4Sy4cagabth1kbiuI9LLQFjo4udukfOvUeYSjJCwbRDROqu6LQh6Tei0ZI8MSB8NJOlQLjkf/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-56212156525677360112011-10-20T17:35:00.000-05:002011-10-22T13:40:51.792-05:00meal list thursday: MLB edition<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dang y'all, it's the World Series. And we are THERE! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To celebrate this momentous occasion (and drawing inspiration from my brother who also prepared baseball-themed dinners last week during the playoffs), I will create a meal plan loosely based on our national favorite pasttime: watching the St. Louis Cardinals. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is this week's meal plan: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pretzel-Wrapped Hotdogs, fresh sliced vegetables, and <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/miscellaneous.html">Oven Fries</a></strong> <em>(<strike>I was going to follow <strong><a href="http://adashofsass.com/2010/01/30/pretzel-dogs/">this</a></strong> recipe for the hotdogs until I realized that refrigerated pretzel dough is on sale this week at Aldi. So I'll just use that instead of making my own dough. I'll let you know if I fail miserably</strike>. Yes, I'll be following </em><a href="http://adashofsass.com/2010/01/30/pretzel-dogs/"><strong><em>this</em></strong></a><em><strong> </strong>recipe. More power to you if your Aldi store still has pretzel dough in stock.)</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Slow-Cooker Spicy Chicken Nachos <em>(Recipe <strong><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-spicy-chicken/detail.aspx">here</a></strong>. Serve over chips, top with queso, and garnish with diced peppers and jalapenos to get your quota of vegetables.)</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">St. Louis Style Thin-Crust Veggie Pizza with Provel Cheese (</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipe <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Go Cards! </span><br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-42123075070908585832011-10-18T10:07:00.000-05:002011-10-18T10:07:36.188-05:00HAPPY 31RTHDAY!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is Eric's birthday. Somewhat ironically, I have taken the day off work but he has not. I get to relax and hang out with the kids on HIS birthday. It's twisted but it works to my advantage.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most years I make cheesecake for him. This year I opted to make <strong><a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/dark-chocolate-extra-stout-guinness-cupcakes-with-baileye28099s-irish-whipped-cream/">Dark Chocolate Extra Stout Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish Whipped Cream</a></strong>. Quite the mouthful, and I haven't even eaten one yet.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtPlK8nrIbbw2GPWxvO46lksY0Yp0Bv__zijDUMb0NjmspCrTSCnb6L3ZWYtJ2XGRYYn4vi7uAjLxMJWHpHFVTzVQPQ__4lJ-3x7nvzYTTnwQ5as1oznp3tqTRzHtSR1SURUXBiwYEbYL/s1600/DSC08689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtPlK8nrIbbw2GPWxvO46lksY0Yp0Bv__zijDUMb0NjmspCrTSCnb6L3ZWYtJ2XGRYYn4vi7uAjLxMJWHpHFVTzVQPQ__4lJ-3x7nvzYTTnwQ5as1oznp3tqTRzHtSR1SURUXBiwYEbYL/s320/DSC08689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's really quite easy: you use your favorite chocolate cake mix, add stout in place of the water, and stir in chopped chocolate. The recipe calls for Guinness beer but I find that Guinness leaves a bit to be desired in the taste department. So I used Schlafly Oatmeal Stout instead. Yum!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Eric took a dozen to work with him to share with his team. I hope they enjoy these as much as they did <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html">the last time Eric shared cupcakes at work</a></strong>.</span><br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-49080631493637083662011-10-14T00:13:00.001-05:002011-10-14T16:57:55.659-05:00photo op<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll have to interrupt this (not) regularly-scheduled blog to give a super-loud shout out to Sherry Lane Photography for the photos she took of my family just a few weeks ago. Sherry has been a long-time friend of my family and is a wonderful, sweet, creative chick. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sherry went way beyond the call of duty with more ideas and energy than I could have imagined. To keep two little kids not only corralled but focused and happy for two hours? Well, I just think that's a gift that not everyone has. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I look at some of the photos and wonder, <em>"Who ARE these people?"</em> Where are the dark circles under my eyes or the toddler-snot on my shirt? I look at Eric's face (handsome dude that he is) and think back to the first time I met him over 11 years ago. And I look at our kids and my mind goes blank and I can't think of a word to say. I'm just blessed beyond measure and uncharacteristically speechless. These photos just capture their darling personalities perfectly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you like what you see, visit Sherry </span><a href="http://www.sherrylanephotography.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. And h</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ere are a few of my favorites:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MfDYSznWanjAM66uy6WX1bSoxJGv7Wgfz-mQkI-5Bwx8haip64hWF-7v5cxXWlKdpVBy74k68VzadWCTtMWdStvu92hEIAWLf4xC5vxfEmsTkZXb_sHwdKVrFQ9IdNYGMLvn4KkyzOaV/s1600/%252BIMG_6781-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MfDYSznWanjAM66uy6WX1bSoxJGv7Wgfz-mQkI-5Bwx8haip64hWF-7v5cxXWlKdpVBy74k68VzadWCTtMWdStvu92hEIAWLf4xC5vxfEmsTkZXb_sHwdKVrFQ9IdNYGMLvn4KkyzOaV/s320/%252BIMG_6781-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvStm3Q7ixO_2sa1hebiLK-CNni0K2Rw3A0M7R60KaKwA-eHOVHoNsN7ieHhZ4sB7iuir-FsV6bRfMDY95ueIPgacmxFKpOE1dd5IoKduafYPdW7w43EdK_N8D0HsmXQ8-3pmjZESI8gW/s1600/%252BIMG_6939-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvStm3Q7ixO_2sa1hebiLK-CNni0K2Rw3A0M7R60KaKwA-eHOVHoNsN7ieHhZ4sB7iuir-FsV6bRfMDY95ueIPgacmxFKpOE1dd5IoKduafYPdW7w43EdK_N8D0HsmXQ8-3pmjZESI8gW/s320/%252BIMG_6939-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c9-ktnJsdW7wdt1enUsqUhEgRkajGiSwJp2EC4mEwLDGIcoH70Nq3tDKgcPtSr0XYgDBsqqjbX4SwdTyvJp-x8LJ9HF7WFk1qKuzMFnR47vbrm5DkrMtG-pswKWadbCotx1Y4Po3wudl/s1600/%252BIMG_7160-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c9-ktnJsdW7wdt1enUsqUhEgRkajGiSwJp2EC4mEwLDGIcoH70Nq3tDKgcPtSr0XYgDBsqqjbX4SwdTyvJp-x8LJ9HF7WFk1qKuzMFnR47vbrm5DkrMtG-pswKWadbCotx1Y4Po3wudl/s320/%252BIMG_7160-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXf0jRoxEqyg4GxUn8j_JzeiQcQzduXmtYPD_rnOt2yNxgFSFhQucM-uh5HaNIgixqdFRTi2u9EiVWFkfvcZ3ZxU13HL0vsHT7B-FLjlMxhbq50JpL-8d1m6lDumKlrjs-deINoIgAdHeh/s1600/%252BIMG_7210-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXf0jRoxEqyg4GxUn8j_JzeiQcQzduXmtYPD_rnOt2yNxgFSFhQucM-uh5HaNIgixqdFRTi2u9EiVWFkfvcZ3ZxU13HL0vsHT7B-FLjlMxhbq50JpL-8d1m6lDumKlrjs-deINoIgAdHeh/s320/%252BIMG_7210-4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgvJQESsk6xEqcSEcRl-yyk3o3En8qXXa5bV55GtebWYtQkYinRHUAjJu9xi-ZYCy6LnjN6v4bYFxax7mllGqepqf8FSDj-j_5h_wV7pECYwNdmDOvippiBMarVne7c2O9BYD-S8veglQ/s1600/%252BIMG_7271-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgvJQESsk6xEqcSEcRl-yyk3o3En8qXXa5bV55GtebWYtQkYinRHUAjJu9xi-ZYCy6LnjN6v4bYFxax7mllGqepqf8FSDj-j_5h_wV7pECYwNdmDOvippiBMarVne7c2O9BYD-S8veglQ/s320/%252BIMG_7271-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD5KWfhE2fgoLbyzPD32yN_Sa9TgudWzavFA2R9dgLRMGROzwgYiJyVXpYgKtfhm2Mn-M2vYObSzVA45U7kYO5axGeSpwYqN8ccdWsSr84UOG5J75CyAimGCCDincovIIlL1tXagNJZH_/s1600/%252BIMG_7190-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD5KWfhE2fgoLbyzPD32yN_Sa9TgudWzavFA2R9dgLRMGROzwgYiJyVXpYgKtfhm2Mn-M2vYObSzVA45U7kYO5axGeSpwYqN8ccdWsSr84UOG5J75CyAimGCCDincovIIlL1tXagNJZH_/s320/%252BIMG_7190-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-23948618519683263282011-10-13T16:54:00.000-05:002011-10-15T20:39:00.839-05:00meal list thursday: what big squash you have<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CXTHiMDqRkNHf98X3UIvquJtdzlcQ7x3O8PRs25kDLFjI8me7mFtNLMpXvukJRf_jmbROUb610oxKP7cTOcLla8txH4XqVSAEbrB1uHZrVVhLJ12L0mT8oP1biFArCnLuVC3pt3eydYH/s1600/squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CXTHiMDqRkNHf98X3UIvquJtdzlcQ7x3O8PRs25kDLFjI8me7mFtNLMpXvukJRf_jmbROUb610oxKP7cTOcLla8txH4XqVSAEbrB1uHZrVVhLJ12L0mT8oP1biFArCnLuVC3pt3eydYH/s1600/squash.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, I am still trying to use up the bounty of summer squash that was bestowed upon me by our kids' babysitter. But I ain't complainin'! She occasionally gets extra produce from a friend and passes it along to me, knowing I won't let it go to waste. She knows me well. ;) It's always a nice surprise when I pick up the kids on a Monday afternoon and she has a bag of squash waiting for me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is this week's meal list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stuffed Peppers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Italian Roasted Sausage & Squash </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grilled Vegetable Lasagna </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chicken Croquettes served with Salad <em> (Recipe <strong><a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/10/chicken-croquettes.html">here</a></strong>. I used shredded chicken from a batch of </em></span><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/2011/04/another-chicken-post.html"><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sticky Chicken</span></em></strong></a><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and froze the rest for another time.)</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>. (Italian Roasted Sausage & Squash waaay down the list.)</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-88423709034237925772011-10-08T21:58:00.000-05:002011-10-08T21:58:18.122-05:00meal list thursday: out of commission<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I'm posting this a couple of days late but I have a good excuse. Swear. The 24-stomach bug just ain't for the weak of heart. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But here I am just one day later: alive and well, with a gut full of wicked hot salsa and beefy Mexican goodness from <strong><a href="http://stlouis.about.com/od/neighborhoodscities/ss/Southampton_5.htm">Lily's Mexican Restaurant</a></strong>. I feel like Rocky Balboa, or maybe Shooter McGavin. Really I just feel awesome again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's how I roll though. I can't STAND the chicken-soup-and-Gatorade diet for more than 2 meals in a row and I'd rather take my chances of blowing a hole in my gut than eat one more bowl of condensed nastiness and white bread. Bleh. Gatorade's pretty good though. (Cue Rocky or Shooter montage.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So I'll post the meal list and hope for better next week. Bonus: Eric will be on a fishing trip later in the week so I'll get to internet until the wee hours of dawn and we'll all be better because of it. Yes, internet is a verb.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This week's meal list:</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Penne Alfredo with Zucchini and Yellow Squash (summer's last hoo-rah)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches (found </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-sandwiches/detail.aspx"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">) and Coleslaw (<strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/miscellaneous.html">here</a></strong>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chili (love chili weather!) served with Salad (because we HAF to have a veggie.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong> (chili waaay down on the list)</span><br />
<br />
<br />Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-22070484291929159292011-09-29T22:44:00.000-05:002011-09-29T22:44:52.424-05:00meal list thursday: livin' the dream<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This part of the week always sneaks up on me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I spend a minute here and there while staring blankly at my cube walls, sitting in a meeting (j/k, Boss Man), or on my lunch-hour drive taking Finn to preschool-- trying to figure out what the heck we're going to eat for dinner the following week. Luckily I just downloaded the sweet Aldi app so I can see what weird German food is on sale this week. Sweet bavarian mustard? Why yes, I'll take some. Dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets? No thanks.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm living the dream, I tell ya.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You know what else you should be jealous of? My saint of a husband has finagled me into helping him mud and sand the newly-hung drywall in our basement. Me. Sand. <em>Drywall</em>. I've officially become a roommate. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(I'mjustkiddingbabykissykissyiloveyouandthanksfortheawesomebasement.)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is this week's meal list:</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pizza with Chicken, Tri-Colored Bell Peppers and Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Crockpot Mexican Chicken Soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Black Bean Cakes with Pico de Gallo (Recipes <strong><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-black-bean-cakes/detail.aspx">here</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/pico_de_gallo_a/">here</a></strong>. Don't be scared. It will change your life.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sausage-Corn Soup (Yes, two soups this week. It <em>is </em>autumn you know.)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-70426487932306301302011-09-27T23:53:00.002-05:002011-09-27T23:53:58.032-05:00Mr. Harry's Carnival Foods<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dude have you been here yet?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We took Finn to <strong><a href="http://www.mrharryscarnivalfoods.com/www.mrharryscarnivalfoods.com/HOME.html">Mr. Harry's Carnival Foods</a></strong> for dinner on his birthday a couple weeks ago and had so much fun! The place is totally bonkerific. They have vintage carnival decor, free popcorn, and toys and hula-hoops to occupy the kids. (Not to mention, Super Mario games on their website!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The owner couldn't have been nicer, even going so far as to put a birthday candle in Finn's green sno-cone and joining us in singing Happy Birthday. Finn was beyond excited!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They offer standard carnival fare like pretzels, funnel cake, nachos, and cotton candy, in addition to sandwiches, barbecue, and THIS gut-buster, which you <em>know</em> is what I ordered:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaJbMyJywb0bjZHC1RPnPo91UOd_L6wYRCMnUXjBt_hBMLHmcalz2OjDp741OJrIaEQGnTO3eEmB73A8lrfFXp3V1H2vHuas-ID0Rwe0PZu8hyphenhypheng9fDUpQn8z7nb0SCom5kYmIb5idKlMm/s1600/DSC08270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaJbMyJywb0bjZHC1RPnPo91UOd_L6wYRCMnUXjBt_hBMLHmcalz2OjDp741OJrIaEQGnTO3eEmB73A8lrfFXp3V1H2vHuas-ID0Rwe0PZu8hyphenhypheng9fDUpQn8z7nb0SCom5kYmIb5idKlMm/s320/DSC08270.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mr. Joe's Triple Dog Dare You</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was uh-mazing. A hot dog covered in chili, jalepeno mac&cheese, and bacon. Seriously? I thought I died and went to heaven. They were playing JoyFM in the background too so for a second there I really </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">thought Jesus might pop out from behind the sno-cone machine. (Which would probably be the best birthday ever!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you have kids you MUST take them. You will be the bestest parent ever.</span><br />
Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-76876829749624112192011-09-26T00:00:00.001-05:002011-09-26T00:00:07.630-05:00is eating fast-food cheaper?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend I was reminded of an Oprah episode I watched last year which featured a family who said that their lifestyle of eating fast food was actually more cost-effective than going to the grocery store, buying food, and preparing it at home. Fast-forward to <a href="http://christianpf.com/are-you-wasting-money-on-food/"><strong>this</strong></a> article that I read over the weekend and I was reminded yet again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Is it true that you can spend less money on meals from the drive-thru than a meal prepared at home with fresh ingredients purchased at any average grocery store? Uh, no.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Case in point: a few nights ago I, Parent Of The Year, made the judgment call to pick up Burger King for dinner. It was Friday night, cooking was the last thing I felt like doing, we had $13 cash AND a coupon for a free Kids Meal. We were also pressed for time. We'd be stupid <em>not</em> to go, right? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I ordered our food, kept the cost within $13, and brought it home. Passing it out to the kids I realized that I didn't get 2 of the items I'd ordered (but paid for). I drove back to get the rest of the food. In total, both trips took me about 20 minutes. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5mpE1wbJJwcVs3PhYl2YeY5i_otSXWOB4s2uofXJlJ-rN5OxMNFAbfSV4LjZIkJxOco9EOmRY7Pfyb3vbqurESVl_szkxd1teduWcwVKnrmJgl6ltZct_TmD38ibucTJ5WJp82jvbr4C/s1600/DSC08506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5mpE1wbJJwcVs3PhYl2YeY5i_otSXWOB4s2uofXJlJ-rN5OxMNFAbfSV4LjZIkJxOco9EOmRY7Pfyb3vbqurESVl_szkxd1teduWcwVKnrmJgl6ltZct_TmD38ibucTJ5WJp82jvbr4C/s320/DSC08506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivudIg6RxbHWoC3BOowJ6RtOqU93Rcut7wihqNtP6apgpNFAlEAElSB8fVw4PLK46oB-gx7YaNKCDDqnZHgkAHqh17tpDoEg7v_J8j5s5_H-vuJclaC_wmYsxrffMdjzq7-HH6rPbld2Ji/s1600/DSC08508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivudIg6RxbHWoC3BOowJ6RtOqU93Rcut7wihqNtP6apgpNFAlEAElSB8fVw4PLK46oB-gx7YaNKCDDqnZHgkAHqh17tpDoEg7v_J8j5s5_H-vuJclaC_wmYsxrffMdjzq7-HH6rPbld2Ji/s320/DSC08508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We spent $13 on two Whoppers, 1 large fry, 1 4-pc chicken tenders, and 1 Kids Meal (which was free because of the coupon). Lila barely touched her food and Finn took only a few bites of his little burger. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I speak for the little darlings when I say we would've been better off if Mama had instead prepared a meal like this:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 lb. top sirloin steak - $8 (avg.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 large baking potatoes - $1.50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 lb. green beans - $2</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We could have had a delicious, reasonably healthy meal prepared in the same amount of time and money. But we didn't, and it was all in the name of convenience. Yes, there are definitely things wrong with our food industry, but just as importantly, with our attitudes about what food is and what it should do for us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The BK slogan is "Have it your way." I totally should have. :)</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-39066454178374185442011-09-22T22:34:00.000-05:002011-09-22T22:34:00.453-05:00meal list thursday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week is on more of a steady pace than the last few, and I am grateful for the small amount of downtime. Although we are super blessed for the <em>reasons</em> we've been so busy: celebrating Finn's 4th birthday, organizing his party, and enjoying a weeklong visit from Eric's family while they helped transform our basement into something that resembles a clean, comfortable, future-living-space. I've been taking pictures of the progress and I CAN'T WAIT to see and enjoy the end result!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And so this week we rest. Sort of. I've had the time to race-train a couple of times and I'm determined to get myself on track with where I <em>should</em> be in my training. Wish me luck-- I have no doubt that I can survive the distance <strike>(with or without pooping my pants)</strike>, but rather, survive the 'hood. While the side-streets in my neighborhood are nice and hilly, it's pitch-dark by the the time I get outside and killers and thugs can hide out anywhere. Even behind </span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?pq=woofies&hl=en&cp=8&gs_id=4&xhr=t&qe=d29vZmllcyA&qesig=Aks_C4atglINfTuQRzxuHg&pkc=AFgZ2tlN_1lClvcdzt7QFy6fyMRL5-SG-kY6PxFrrROZ6tdEy6NFMD2gBjT9BGTJFV5N-vsBqrqI1M2_n1tAwBqHPww5VVRqhA&rlz=1T4SKPB_enUS373US373&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=571&wrapid=tljp131665811803400&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=woofies+hot+dogs&fb=1&gl=us&hq=woofies+hot+dogs&hnear=0x87d8cadc84bc5a43:0x5307d760d720912f,Clayton,+MO&cid=1225657217260661191"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Woofies</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. So Killers and Thugs, I'd appreciate it if you could lie low until after race day. Thanks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is this week's meal list:</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slow-Cooker Pot Roast, Baked Potatoes, and Green Beans</span><br />
<a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/4-minute-fish-crispy-lemon-tilapia/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Crispy Lemon Tilapia</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> with Rice and Broccoli </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Smoked Porkloin with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus (Eric usually cooks the meat the evening before so that it has plenty of time on the smoker.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><u><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></u></strong>.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-78608358243035084012011-09-21T21:05:00.000-05:002011-09-21T21:05:22.627-05:00dinnertime discussion<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finn: Mom, there's something in my shoe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Umm, is it toes?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finn: (<em>Laughs</em>) No!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Umm, is it a foot?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finn: No! (<em>Laughs again</em>) It's small!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Oh, I know! It's a toenail!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finn: (<em>Digs around in his shoe</em>) Oops. It's just meat.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1VDzpvMZ84nO9TFW2YdgUIW4t-e79WUPqDPDNojG87wjnSyD0h1XNgDMVXnS9yfequhLLl_CLxZITTPFgSR49jouojYMJ8RtL7V53dppoP123JXlpPrjZe8xd7ZNIqPi_3YczogpZ10T/s1600/DSC08473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1VDzpvMZ84nO9TFW2YdgUIW4t-e79WUPqDPDNojG87wjnSyD0h1XNgDMVXnS9yfequhLLl_CLxZITTPFgSR49jouojYMJ8RtL7V53dppoP123JXlpPrjZe8xd7ZNIqPi_3YczogpZ10T/s320/DSC08473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-16538960925501228122011-09-15T00:00:00.008-05:002011-09-15T00:00:00.442-05:00meal list thursday & my downward spiral<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I take back <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/2011/09/meal-list-thursday-ramblings.html">what I said last week</a></strong> about not being worried about the half-marathon I signed up for which is just FIVE WEEKS AWAY. I take it all back! I'm freaking out! Lately I can't seem to squeeze in training more than twice a week... which is hecka worse than where I was in my training this time last year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Besides, I CAN'T do worse than I did last year! I just can't! Not only did I get beat by a teenager in a wheelchair and a soldier in full army gear (with his backpack and everything and with all due respect to both), I didn't wear a watch to help keep me on pace and ended up averaging like 15 minute miles. I'm barely exaggerating. Not to mention, I couldn't walk for two days afterwards. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKu5ZVjHdxe0ce5MO8D682p9hZcJYXYVcsVxW9WX5e1QA8SlSEyx1KjnYBUc9NDKIO_1bnmnvPaAfJptMlx1E6dnPQoWpbFNqa-t6w0Fpailg6TXy-kD3xbhgdaLiOopOKwD1HWDFm6PY/s1600/001+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKu5ZVjHdxe0ce5MO8D682p9hZcJYXYVcsVxW9WX5e1QA8SlSEyx1KjnYBUc9NDKIO_1bnmnvPaAfJptMlx1E6dnPQoWpbFNqa-t6w0Fpailg6TXy-kD3xbhgdaLiOopOKwD1HWDFm6PY/s320/001+cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ugh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Not only that but I seem to be gaining weight faster than you can say "birthday cake" and it is of utmost importance that I run off some of these fat cells STAT. My pants-tightness is embarrassing. I need Jillian Michaels or Richard Simmons or SOMEONE to bust me into shape. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I run so that I can eat yummy food for dinner and theoretically not worry as much about the calories. Here is this week's meal list: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Spaghetti Bolognese, Garlic Bread, and Roasted Green Beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hearty Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder (omg, found <strong><a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/soups/hearty-roasted-poblano-corn-chowder/">here</a></strong>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Fried Chicken Salad </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-38214571367124039022011-09-14T00:00:00.015-05:002011-09-14T21:34:32.731-05:00four<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Conversation on June 24:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<strong>Me:</strong> Finn, you're going to turn four soon! Is there anything you want for your birthday?<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Finn:</strong> <em>After a moment of careful consideration, you whisper:</em> 'Apple Cake?' <em>as if you dare not ask for something so extravagant.</em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX2DhRQ8jkHYCc9BTsTe7GYCxRn6-1Z4mRJFPhNrRN__klwfP4jPwkGxsRptR9v8-9vT01f5GE9xQSbMior8OFFWuHEAn2C2MbtsWkh6zxeA3hU2E7Txjhz7OV4DV4t054qZrtWB6MkIZ/s1600/DSC08233+Finn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX2DhRQ8jkHYCc9BTsTe7GYCxRn6-1Z4mRJFPhNrRN__klwfP4jPwkGxsRptR9v8-9vT01f5GE9xQSbMior8OFFWuHEAn2C2MbtsWkh6zxeA3hU2E7Txjhz7OV4DV4t054qZrtWB6MkIZ/s320/DSC08233+Finn.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not tickets to Toy Story 3 on Ice, not the latest superhero figurines, not even a new bike. You just want apple cake. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You have such a sweet spirit, little Finn. Your dad and I treasure it so much! Don't ever lose your wonder, excitement, and hope for the simple and good things in life. You deserve it, and you'll get it! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy 4th Birthday Finn! I hope you enjoy your Apple Cake!<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
love, Mama</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipe <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/desserts.html">here</a></strong>. (Generously shared by my friend Nikki Becker. Thanks girl!)</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-64371330405005177242011-09-08T22:54:00.000-05:002011-09-08T22:54:50.157-05:00meal list thursday: ramblings<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fall has arrived! The weather this week has been absolutely beautiful. The temp has gone down, leaves have started falling from the trees, the sun shines golden, and the air has <em>life</em> in it. I know this because I stare out the window from the 2nd floor of my building and watch the cars race by on I-270. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This also means that I have to officially begin training for the half-marathon I've signed up for which is just six weeks away. But it's OK, man, it's OK. I'm not worried. The weather no longer makes me want to punch Mother Nature in the face OR fall over and die, so I'm more than happy to go on my long solitary runs 3x/week. I'll catch up in no time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have another excuse for not getting my butt into gear 6 weeks ago to start training: the summer started off busy enough with our day-to-dayness, intensified by the beginnings of a basement remodel, Eric's church commitments, and a stack of books on reserve at the library, all of which (naturally) became available right around the same time. Now we're neck-deep in basement debris with no end in sight, planning our little boy's 4th birthday party, and, natch, I decided it's the right time to refinish a big-boy bed for his birthday present. (Yeah for a $50 Craigslist Special! Twofer at that! However, my arms and hands hate me for it.) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll stop rambling. Here's this week's meal list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Apple-Sausage Rigatoni</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cinnamon Roasted Chicken with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Beef & Broccoli over Brown Rice </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-13773868566239837372011-09-01T22:31:00.001-05:002011-09-04T21:49:23.275-05:00meal list thursday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Somehow this Labor Day weekend has become a self-fulfilling prophesy because it's going to be full of all <em>kinds</em> of work. For whatever reason I have a half-dozen things I'd told myself to accomplish in 4 days' time (using PTO on Friday, OH yeah!), which includes: refinishing a bed, making party favors and other planning for Finn's upcoming birthday party, cleaning out my dining room, and helping Eric work on our basement. I'm also going to talk Eric into backyard-camping with Finn so I can surf the internet for as long as I want and eat all the junk food in the house. And I am sure that I'm forgetting something... Shower? Church? Child-rearing? It's gonna be a busy weekend. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stupid. I'd love to just order takeout to make things easier. But that would quickly eat up the $76 surprise check that I just received from Verizon for overcharging me back in 2006 for Godknowswhat. Yes, I am just now getting that reimbursement check. Thank you, Verizon.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What are your plans for this Labor Day weekend? Maybe you should host a BBQ and invite your favorite Francesca. Otherwise, here's what I think I'll be making:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BBQ Pork Steaks, Mexican Corn, and Coleslaw</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grilled Chicken Legs, Randy's Dandies Baked Beans, and Saut</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">é</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ed</span> B</span>roccoli</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Summer Vegetable Pizza</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Recipes <strong><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></strong>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hope you all have a great Labor Day Weekend!</span>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-34521726481168580142011-08-30T23:45:00.000-05:002011-08-30T23:45:24.036-05:00la cocina compartida - summer workshop 2011<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"The Shared Kitchen" about sums it up for me. I can't get nothin' done in my kitchen without tripping over some babies/toys/magnets/papers/cereal. Such is life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But this post isn't about me, or even about my kitchen. This post is about my dear old friend Katie and the super-fun cooking workshop she hosted a couple of weeks ago. Which I of course jumped at the chance to attend.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Katie: Would you like to come to my cooking class?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Do Mexicans do the Macarena? I'm SO there!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Katie = Awesome. I've known her since gradeschool, and I miss her tons. While I'm here living the dream in the same town she and I grew up in, Katie is doing <strong><a href="http://studio473.wordpress.com/">all kinds of amazing things</a></strong> in a city in the middle of Mexico. She is back in town for a few weeks and decided to organize a cooking class to teach a few friends how to cook authentic Mexican food. She so graciously invited me to attend, for which I am thankful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We prepared then gorged ourselves on all kinds of deliciousness, all while she described little tidbits about the local culture in Guanajuato and her experiences while living there. I'm just grateful that she thought to invite me in the first place. But next time I expect a real invite to Mexico. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a sample of the food we made. Please excuse the pictures. My camera is a piece of caca:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_wslIheE15EcURsPOJlTR5W0VEImx2XAh4oG3zMHhK_MhjU9WoUFl1sRn7b3C5iXybUbitcYr7C6FMhp8rcDxxwlPiEBk1LyKyiQOwRyg_I4lzxAyHH2grdg5cjJlYlIgrgI06FOa7V5/s1600/DSC08035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_wslIheE15EcURsPOJlTR5W0VEImx2XAh4oG3zMHhK_MhjU9WoUFl1sRn7b3C5iXybUbitcYr7C6FMhp8rcDxxwlPiEBk1LyKyiQOwRyg_I4lzxAyHH2grdg5cjJlYlIgrgI06FOa7V5/s320/DSC08035.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">beautiful katie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq7kJdfyyMEYFm3bFNBr_BArNtJZCWMSjXRHyFJiK4T09qaPWFhBg9Il_MR92fVsNxINl327dJvtPUxUWfMcsNfzDoTSsZD037mKoAJOky-JVAgBZrrpSCXN61XUpaPef4n9kztRLxwmC/s1600/DSC08024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq7kJdfyyMEYFm3bFNBr_BArNtJZCWMSjXRHyFJiK4T09qaPWFhBg9Il_MR92fVsNxINl327dJvtPUxUWfMcsNfzDoTSsZD037mKoAJOky-JVAgBZrrpSCXN61XUpaPef4n9kztRLxwmC/s320/DSC08024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ceviche, drunken salsa, and cucumbers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmoBlkzRCMiXmWXiXHESqzCX7EKCbWE_Q1Ndu2kco7jX4E-5UhWFr-T9fUjSRlWC3JQCcWmkduDdmF-Hyx8YbZROZVQ3mkA93jkTULwdxXS0P1tOd-xGbpqRSSCCkzc1Ijd87_jg-0kWi/s1600/DSC08047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmoBlkzRCMiXmWXiXHESqzCX7EKCbWE_Q1Ndu2kco7jX4E-5UhWFr-T9fUjSRlWC3JQCcWmkduDdmF-Hyx8YbZROZVQ3mkA93jkTULwdxXS0P1tOd-xGbpqRSSCCkzc1Ijd87_jg-0kWi/s320/DSC08047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">newlyweds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPbLnb4r-wM-bXWtBxfV2aB6FEoOwziy8bc9oyU5_7P8a2HrQpcL7oMwK3Fw1xHYnWDUsw22zQL7cYyLoHxBsuLsBKVF6uW5BmvBYMmXd5WJND5NtB-ESNUAQ332HLGojMswLBcICs9Ii/s1600/DSC08055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPbLnb4r-wM-bXWtBxfV2aB6FEoOwziy8bc9oyU5_7P8a2HrQpcL7oMwK3Fw1xHYnWDUsw22zQL7cYyLoHxBsuLsBKVF6uW5BmvBYMmXd5WJND5NtB-ESNUAQ332HLGojMswLBcICs9Ii/s320/DSC08055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">roasted chile and tomatillo salsa. warm and smoky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">i just wanted to pour the bowl in my glass and drink it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkMunTNjLhPp9TgfCJfqGkSjIwjqHeKdEd7K8XDjI5v5e2r6m9yGu1OtGLNwF8DUj9hmXmeUvzSGJ7N9hm0eC99gZwtgFZHpLQDs87WhbbOBvaA2J53sFsCQVqYKNMvulrjmn9j9sQOcA/s1600/DSC08058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkMunTNjLhPp9TgfCJfqGkSjIwjqHeKdEd7K8XDjI5v5e2r6m9yGu1OtGLNwF8DUj9hmXmeUvzSGJ7N9hm0eC99gZwtgFZHpLQDs87WhbbOBvaA2J53sFsCQVqYKNMvulrjmn9j9sQOcA/s320/DSC08058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sopes. i don't know either, but they were fun to make!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmsLXMP-9VRn6iDCVOjKK2kcdR7XCX_f-TeDWEngxUDWk3wBthBUsgw9OADjZhIlAPQryJwdxmiAT02gyPXwzfsrL66VS2TyIctBauxdliZVSnMJbe3zE6PKy9tnfqPAh0uoB3sgWEZXK/s1600/DSC08060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmsLXMP-9VRn6iDCVOjKK2kcdR7XCX_f-TeDWEngxUDWk3wBthBUsgw9OADjZhIlAPQryJwdxmiAT02gyPXwzfsrL66VS2TyIctBauxdliZVSnMJbe3zE6PKy9tnfqPAh0uoB3sgWEZXK/s320/DSC08060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">beet root and jicama salad. i'd never before had either one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">soooo good.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtsnXGu94zpn5tLxPn6De-mfG_EhMj9HdEzXO4SrLomFFLa9OiN8BYA2m01q_NzDKDOQ-rltOtRYtDaz2PIGZPIdSHSEmLfKHu9ZeoTeNxaq2A_G69_hwpqnjMeLIv9dWAAM_LCK_ipJ9/s1600/DSC08062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtsnXGu94zpn5tLxPn6De-mfG_EhMj9HdEzXO4SrLomFFLa9OiN8BYA2m01q_NzDKDOQ-rltOtRYtDaz2PIGZPIdSHSEmLfKHu9ZeoTeNxaq2A_G69_hwpqnjMeLIv9dWAAM_LCK_ipJ9/s320/DSC08062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the main meal:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">refried black beans, rajas con cremas, and beef with peanut sauce.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYsxN1z_ndQCDkGixUTPoW2TWvIo49jCBuqxmLR2rRtieR83UYjS2LybFYCNFqrtg5f_J90CLKZpYguqZFpHOmQkh-1QLr9K9cFaI-qrLxOBxy26LYJJH9kmOHLTLpsZGAQwd8rD9Dbf2/s1600/DSC08080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYsxN1z_ndQCDkGixUTPoW2TWvIo49jCBuqxmLR2rRtieR83UYjS2LybFYCNFqrtg5f_J90CLKZpYguqZFpHOmQkh-1QLr9K9cFaI-qrLxOBxy26LYJJH9kmOHLTLpsZGAQwd8rD9Dbf2/s320/DSC08080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">liquid crack, or, coffee with cinnamon and sugar. served with flan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">so good you'd smack your mama.</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-7WQUrTQvPtYTguml3ZDe7wJlZjYK4mXCqdYf5rNIEGxKX9M1ul4DBrxN5x4eUktWuGS6cKP9oeaTIHAUHimbzNmG1x725mrDRsbDAUHKvDjVixu8z53XV8wk5lt11ZehsNuvIrro-eF/s1600/DSC08059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-7WQUrTQvPtYTguml3ZDe7wJlZjYK4mXCqdYf5rNIEGxKX9M1ul4DBrxN5x4eUktWuGS6cKP9oeaTIHAUHimbzNmG1x725mrDRsbDAUHKvDjVixu8z53XV8wk5lt11ZehsNuvIrro-eF/s320/DSC08059.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and last but not least, good conversations.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My dear Katie: thanks for the fun night out, amazing food, and cookbook! See you again next year?</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1543908384457067404.post-91423719492658540642011-08-25T00:00:00.009-05:002011-08-25T06:49:08.392-05:00picnics rule & meal list thursday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll just get this week's meal list out of the way so we can quickly move on to the fun stuff. <em>Business in front, party in back</em>, am I right? I am from MO after all. (And no, I did not intend for this to be a teaser for mullets. Mullets will not be found further down this post. Well, OK. Lila <em>kindof</em> has a mullet. But it's not her fault.) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Summer Squash Casserole</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches and Salad</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Creamy Avocado Pasta with Roasted Grape Tomatoes</strong> <em>(Found <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/creamy-avocado-pasta-with-roasted-grape-tomatoes-2/"><strong>here</strong></a> on tastykitchen.com. This one might be a bit frou-frou for some dudes but it is an awesome, super easy summer dish. Heck, if he gets all fussy about it just serve it with chicken and tell him he can EATITANDLIKEIT! Also, follow her recommendation about not serving this dish left-over. We all know that an avocado the morning after is not pretty. Make fresh and devour!)</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Recipes <strong><u><a href="http://thenonsensationalist.blogspot.com/p/entrees.html">here</a></u></strong>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back to bidness. So does anyone else out there think that picnics are super awesome? Taking our kids on a low-key weekend picnic dinner is definitely among our favorite activities. Assuming our schedules and beastly St. Louis weather permit, of course. They are easy, cheap, and they get the kids out in the fresh air and out of our hair so we can enjoy the view and unwind from the long week. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are the pictures from our picnic dinner last Friday night. I might need a picnic now, right here on my bed. Where's the cheese and crackers?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The important stuff:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyIo8NBTBAI_39pRKJ6eLlk-mcthnf4PMw22s1XohvsSa5MdXavRI4U9NnFZcN-s28uH1iQ-m380XXWDXeLJJHCeOLQTQojycJ05-5tKOg4zCY4Bd6QhvLCfxHjPQBmJHeds5iJwUkhbB/s1600/DSC08096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyIo8NBTBAI_39pRKJ6eLlk-mcthnf4PMw22s1XohvsSa5MdXavRI4U9NnFZcN-s28uH1iQ-m380XXWDXeLJJHCeOLQTQojycJ05-5tKOg4zCY4Bd6QhvLCfxHjPQBmJHeds5iJwUkhbB/s320/DSC08096.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Why yes, I think I will try a tomato."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqIPiyiiWj97rnLTa8c21yG1-klyu8gaYAHxicEHaS8CB0lvCSJdjlZeqWIkmiVQnKCAsKbbynpsvOuA7i7bqq1IBv-Oaqhg5u5ulk4m5ft43qgsDVIf6ybMtnopFTWuxlUG2hncSsV_d/s1600/DSC08091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqIPiyiiWj97rnLTa8c21yG1-klyu8gaYAHxicEHaS8CB0lvCSJdjlZeqWIkmiVQnKCAsKbbynpsvOuA7i7bqq1IBv-Oaqhg5u5ulk4m5ft43qgsDVIf6ybMtnopFTWuxlUG2hncSsV_d/s320/DSC08091.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "On second thought, I'll just stick with salami."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi-M67x1ec03UBxczdkHmqTE7fcOSmYevf05f9nL1rhe_7uWnGfIyOqOg6KsWf7DOy5EMePa8XMUxqg559iSEODyYnHW-a47sI5iSCOL7SJKBG7hPKXK_dc9cVcHtJPvyiWVFIMgqFVBs/s1600/DSC08100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi-M67x1ec03UBxczdkHmqTE7fcOSmYevf05f9nL1rhe_7uWnGfIyOqOg6KsWf7DOy5EMePa8XMUxqg559iSEODyYnHW-a47sI5iSCOL7SJKBG7hPKXK_dc9cVcHtJPvyiWVFIMgqFVBs/s320/DSC08100.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Done eating, time to play...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxyrLFA72PXXRyu2uu5DSmt_cE6J2gnsey6D3LJkyLlr8BtbnAvLXNC0fIORyI8TI1VUEyVAGDEPzqckoGOqFAu84YDZuwIFcGE_ToUoJdTpd5mK9LZ6_BbsiTezUM1BuWk7sOSuyqT70/s1600/DSC08104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxyrLFA72PXXRyu2uu5DSmt_cE6J2gnsey6D3LJkyLlr8BtbnAvLXNC0fIORyI8TI1VUEyVAGDEPzqckoGOqFAu84YDZuwIFcGE_ToUoJdTpd5mK9LZ6_BbsiTezUM1BuWk7sOSuyqT70/s320/DSC08104.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...and run up and down the hill a hundred times.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoC_nacc7GzsseB1opph0pUP1FWiAkVmJS8vgH6l64kKAotIYHLlv1dPqVWlgqJ8wmr1ngI0tXA2-jfcTt1aoMriRHoUTsehvhnEpHOrwHgZMIHiTEtcAxqC_3YY58P_PUxSe7-qJmfk/s1600/DSC08105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoC_nacc7GzsseB1opph0pUP1FWiAkVmJS8vgH6l64kKAotIYHLlv1dPqVWlgqJ8wmr1ngI0tXA2-jfcTt1aoMriRHoUTsehvhnEpHOrwHgZMIHiTEtcAxqC_3YY58P_PUxSe7-qJmfk/s320/DSC08105.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIN1tpSyS36eyZ8fcgrrWDAC5tpsD_Tg_zQtHb5iahgCRDtu8eVsCIcmPKZSl0LDVV18abS10XkW4Av8gsSlUGeBTT_dFTWIUPQm4b-JAP6ohi14-GLtSxo96hFGHUbieX2DNUxO8vmV6/s1600/DSC08113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIN1tpSyS36eyZ8fcgrrWDAC5tpsD_Tg_zQtHb5iahgCRDtu8eVsCIcmPKZSl0LDVV18abS10XkW4Av8gsSlUGeBTT_dFTWIUPQm4b-JAP6ohi14-GLtSxo96hFGHUbieX2DNUxO8vmV6/s320/DSC08113.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Horsey!" (statue of King Louis IX of France)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_9jEmDUNgHqH7XjZbZmqkXJbOPogZ9pXMQpOfEzm_IxKS-JCm01f5ZPDAeqDlNUqAovcrynRevZrLDZnLfAJTde64zvQ0H0z9clKc1ND58r1cgRDYeYMAalf60KsaS23mmoZHLsA_sYh/s1600/DSC08114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_9jEmDUNgHqH7XjZbZmqkXJbOPogZ9pXMQpOfEzm_IxKS-JCm01f5ZPDAeqDlNUqAovcrynRevZrLDZnLfAJTde64zvQ0H0z9clKc1ND58r1cgRDYeYMAalf60KsaS23mmoZHLsA_sYh/s320/DSC08114.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time for a break!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW9IhaD8CVFXO7A3MDKXkFLCClNJr2DXiAGtXr6CMOF_Te6-ot1HJippYr6_rqP01XmPHUKWBDa40nk6vj10yW6aTQUwzsxZE4egmbR8imofSg4NF-UcIwQMtKYwJ5Kb7H8VILCvzqfDE/s1600/DSC08125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW9IhaD8CVFXO7A3MDKXkFLCClNJr2DXiAGtXr6CMOF_Te6-ot1HJippYr6_rqP01XmPHUKWBDa40nk6vj10yW6aTQUwzsxZE4egmbR8imofSg4NF-UcIwQMtKYwJ5Kb7H8VILCvzqfDE/s320/DSC08125.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hii6FOImHElMQFgBhcIhp1eEMPR4E-n0k2qpMvFO4tTwjeo_AsLo4sX4Ei84LXwbJ5LMr_eKmul1cJmlD2l5NJHRckk9l7zNdSBnXM-9y8ww835sonTH3wwJkba66lbj3vTUzX5VWp08/s1600/DSC08144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hii6FOImHElMQFgBhcIhp1eEMPR4E-n0k2qpMvFO4tTwjeo_AsLo4sX4Ei84LXwbJ5LMr_eKmul1cJmlD2l5NJHRckk9l7zNdSBnXM-9y8ww835sonTH3wwJkba66lbj3vTUzX5VWp08/s320/DSC08144.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And time to teach the important things...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYGMq4hQmtRFptLfYgDG3UXDjW9zIOOF8gMBb19y2xPyOO0cFTJiEuxvkrHjvpY84vh8XV4aIUP1QiV6RuUIQ4wDXYSmF02R0RnFoaXEthRA2kBVPVlNMFMF78dAczyQaIRbQhWV8m-OU/s1600/DSC08147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYGMq4hQmtRFptLfYgDG3UXDjW9zIOOF8gMBb19y2xPyOO0cFTJiEuxvkrHjvpY84vh8XV4aIUP1QiV6RuUIQ4wDXYSmF02R0RnFoaXEthRA2kBVPVlNMFMF78dAczyQaIRbQhWV8m-OU/s320/DSC08147.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...like sharing a cookie...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQf9qQ4juiEVjMMOyY0iC9u_8mlNTgZE1gbgLc6PozPEkv-RsjJr2PKIqTYPUgveRVz6sMNIpyNXfwrxvLoLB1ElzI0hXvtULqvVblwcG5u2_pbyDXUoyLZBSpOu8G8HnOlQ1W19juVmh/s1600/DSC08150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQf9qQ4juiEVjMMOyY0iC9u_8mlNTgZE1gbgLc6PozPEkv-RsjJr2PKIqTYPUgveRVz6sMNIpyNXfwrxvLoLB1ElzI0hXvtULqvVblwcG5u2_pbyDXUoyLZBSpOu8G8HnOlQ1W19juVmh/s320/DSC08150.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...and sharing a laugh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">("The Wheels on the Bus Go Poop-Poop-Poop.")</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVucXZaqOMPb5nQ0WR7lkALEouoK3WyDaixs2xByOVfnfKufZ1FoedO5I3qT4Ur8Fuq9t_nN_QCJcAzOx98G-Oh29emwA2w7LMkFxycyleXfb9BtegWzU4tEzcMplmGAQYhxDTGYvSGZPI/s1600/DSC08154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVucXZaqOMPb5nQ0WR7lkALEouoK3WyDaixs2xByOVfnfKufZ1FoedO5I3qT4Ur8Fuq9t_nN_QCJcAzOx98G-Oh29emwA2w7LMkFxycyleXfb9BtegWzU4tEzcMplmGAQYhxDTGYvSGZPI/s320/DSC08154.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...and of course, one last trek up the hill. (Thanks, Dad!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAqla9_hBzM-pz7U_ENswHCKY_3pxIyzdY_u0T9sA8x9-mCcc_4AzW0lAkbNyG_fnlDQn2MVT4oeA6e6iIynnon8bZFtKyfTMgMvQrl9EQc4q8TYdjaTkSorGN8gJ5vt7c38D3vhwSG2v/s1600/DSC08162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAqla9_hBzM-pz7U_ENswHCKY_3pxIyzdY_u0T9sA8x9-mCcc_4AzW0lAkbNyG_fnlDQn2MVT4oeA6e6iIynnon8bZFtKyfTMgMvQrl9EQc4q8TYdjaTkSorGN8gJ5vt7c38D3vhwSG2v/s320/DSC08162.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>Francescahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01152194002962235861noreply@blogger.com0